With global stars and a sports mad population, T&T’s long history of fondness for sports participation continues to grow, even as new disciplines take hold in a nation that enjoys getting the best out of themselves, with a landscape made for healthy competition.

T&T sport is a further extension of cultural camaraderie

2026 will be no different, inspired by the cricketers, footballers, athletes, swimmers and cyclists, that fly the flag on the international stage. The quest for personal bests will again be the order of the day. Sport in T&T is a further extension of the culture of camaraderie, another outlet to lime with one another, even after the steaming cauldron of fierce competition. We like to win – we love to win in style – but we cherish the human interaction of sport as well. It can be a cold beer with a rival team after a game, or a relaxing chat while jogging through a tree-lined path. In the stands, the Trinbagonian spectator comes alive, going through several emotions in a single minute while wearing the different hats of coach, expert, pundit, critic, lifelong fan and bitter rival. Yes, sport in T&T is ingrained in our psyche.

The XXIII Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (23rd July – 2nd August) represents the major event for T&T’s athletes this year, with defending gold medallists from 2022, Jereem Richards (athletics) and Nicholas Paul (cycling) eagerly expected to provide repeat performances. Newly crowned Javelin world champion Keshorn Walcott only needs a Commonwealth gold to complete his set that includes the Olympic title, in what will be a fitting collection for a remarkable athlete. T&T will be watching every throw that he makes this summer, while also hoping that the blend of experience such as 2018 swimming silver medallist Dylan Carter, past world champion Machel Cedenio and the youth like 100M runner Kion Benjamin (silver, 2022) will add to the medal haul.

On home soil, the year begins with the Trinidad & Tobago Marathon on 25th January, with its iconic route connecting south and north Trinidad. For good measure, there is also the T&T Midnight Marathon in May, which is growing in popularity at a remarkable rate. October and November are the months with a flurry of 5K & 10K activity, with mass participation events that attract serious racers and casual runners. All of these conclude with large social events, enhancing the feeling of achievement while raising funds and awareness for good causes.

If it’s labelled ‘the biggest party in sport’, then T&T must be involved. That’s the case every September when the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) lands on these shores. The legendary Trini revelry is always on full display in the stands as patriotic fans support the Trinbago Knight Riders, the 2025 winners. On the field, homegrown global cricket stars Nicholas Pooran, Akeal Hosein, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard make the most of the opportunity to shine in front their home crowd. For six weeks each year, the sheer excitement of the CPL dominates the conversation in the workplace, by the food vendor, even in traffic.

The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 leagues offer ample weekly entertainment as the sport continues its rebuilding phase, which includes the development of an exciting young Senior Women’s squad vying for qualification for the regional CONCACAF competition.

With lush green spaces against backdrops such as the Caribbean Sea or the northern range, golf remains immensely popular as enthusiasts challenge themselves and one another on their way to the 19th…sorry, 18th hole. While the T&T Open in March takes pride of place, January begins with the Brechin Castle Open, followed by April’s Junior Open and the sister isle offers the serious challenge of July’s Tobago Open.

The sport of kings, horseracing, builds towards its big events such as the Easter Guinea’s, with regular meetings each month. The Trinidad Derby held on Republic Day (24th September) sees large crowds at the Santa Rosa racetrack, cheering on their favourites with fervour, especially because of the bets placed earlier in the day.

On the water, the annual Great Race tests the limits of man and machine in the gruelling but fast journey linking the two capital cities, Port of Spain and Scarborough. For context, the fastest boats – that survive the open water conditions – will cover the distance in just over an hour.

Human-powered machines also seek speed, with October’s Annual Chinese Arrival Dragon Boat Festival the culmination of smaller regattas and hard work put in by the participating teams. The Chaguaramas Boardwalk provides the perfect setting for a competition that is anything but friendly, until the trophies are handed out.
Which epitomizes sport in T&T: work hard, play hard, lime hard afterwards.

Popular 2026 5K Races*
Sep: RBC Race for the Kids
Oct: Scotiabank Women against Breast Cancer
Nov: Guardian Group SHINE
Republic Bank Bubbles for Life
*Dates subject to change

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